They raised their voices and then raised them again. But no answer came back.
"Would he telephone from the office?" asked the senator's son.
"I suppose so—although there is another 'phone in the shipping-room."
The boys had now entered one of the new offices. Just beyond was the old office, with the two old safes, standing side by side.
"Look!" cried Roger, in dismay.
There was no need to utter the cry, for Dave was himself staring at the scene before him. The old office was in dire confusion, chairs and desks being cast in various directions. All of the windows were broken out and through these the chill night air was entering.
But what interested the boys most of all was the appearance of the two old safes. The door to each had been blown asunder and lay in a twisted mass on the floor. On top of the doors lay a number of boxes and drawers that belonged in the safes. Mingling with the wreckage were pieces of gold and silver plate, and also gold and silver knives, forks, and spoons.
"Here is where that explosion came from," said Dave. "What a pity it didn't happen when we were in front of the works! We might have caught the rascals red-handed!"
